Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1887-1890, 1887-11-19
SPARKS ~VALEDIGTuRA.
Three Years of Hard Bra1n-Racking
Work unappreclated-Glad
that He is Free.

WASHINGTON. November 17.-Commis-
siener Sparks has rece we'd from the pres
ident q letter accepting his resignation, to
take effect today. The letter is dated
yesterday, and, while declining through
eourtess to the president to give it To the
press. the commissioner said it was ex-
tremeiy kind in tone and expressed the
presidents full appreciation of his ser
vices to tue country as commissioner Il
feel like "a galley slave just released
said the commissioner, "and but for the
fact that | am indeed sick. / would be in
the best of spirits" "0f course he con-
tinGed, 'fnis isnot d pleasant ending o. my
administration, and when | reflect that |
have given nearly three years If alme t
i4aessant hard, brain racking work is the
cause Of ths. people for but little more
than my board: when | remember that |
am at least $4,000 worse off today thar |
was on the day I came TO Washington,
at4a aAla / review my wegE Of the last
three years and positively know my course
has .-er q right and honest one, and that
my position in the case at issue is uneues-
tIonably correct; why, when / think of all
these things, with the consciousness of
having done my whole duty fearlessly, /
cannot help wishing it were otherwise.
Yet [ am by Ut means unhappy said
the commissioner; II need a rest and |
shall remain in Washington the coming
winter and take it easy
Assistant commissioner Stockslager will
act as commissioner until Sparks success
sor is appointed.
WASHINGTON, November 1e.-Fhe fol-
lowing is the presidents letter to commits
sioner Sparks:
EXECUTIVE MANSION WASHINGTON, No.
yemher Is, 1oS..-W William Il. j. Spafhs- |
Ny Dear Sir: I have read your letter of |
resignation. left with me today and also |
the communication addressed by you to |
the secretary of the interior accompanying |
the same. In the present situation / do
not feel called upon to determine the |
merits Of the controversy which has arisen |
between the secretary and yourself, fur
Their than to say. that my impression touch
ing the legal question involved ~inclines me |
TO reply as naturally would dothatit pre-
sents a case Of Interpretation where two
perfectly honest men may we'll
differ. The operations of the department
and your Jealous endeayors to save and
protect the public lands for settlers in
good faith, induces me to believe that you
will be pleased to receive the assurance
that this policy, upon which all are agreed,
will continue to be steadtastly pursued,
limited and controlled, however, by the
law and judgment of the courts by which
we may at times be unwittingly restraint
ed, but which we cannot and ought no to-
resist. / desire to heartily acknowledge
the value of your services in the improved
administration of the land department
which has been reached, and to assure
You of my appreciation of the rugged and
unyielding integrity which has character
lied your official conduct. [ am constrain-
ed to accept the resignation you tender,
assurance of my continued kindly
feeling towards you, and with an earnest
wish that whatever your future way OF
may lead, complete success and salts
may await you. Thanking you for
pleasing and complimentary express
with which you close your letter, /
am yours, very truly,
GROVER CLEVELAND.